Rococo

The term rococo is derived from the French rocaille, meaning ‘rock debris’, and the style is characterised by its light colours, elegant lines and gracefully swirling curvaceous forms. Rococo ornamentation recalls the whimsical natural forms of leaves, rocks and shells. Its irregularities and asymmetry marked a powerful contrast with the art of preceding centuries. In the Netherlands, rococo became increasingly popular from 1740 onwards. A splendid example of this style can be found can be found in the reception room originally built for the Amsterdam canal house owned by the wealthy merchant Mathijs Beuning and his wife Catharina Oudaen. Rococo remained the prevailing artistic style in Europe until the 1770s, when it went out of fashion.